Power Ranking All 126 College Football Teams Entering Week 10

Power Ranking All 126 College Football Teams Entering Week 10

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Nine weeks are in the books for the 2013 college football season, and some separation is starting to happen in the rankings of the 126 FBS programs.

There are now just 21 teams with fewer than two losses, while 15 schools are already mathematically eliminated from postseason contention by virtue of their inability to get to a .500 record by the end of the season.

In between, though, is a muddled mess.

Fear not, college football fans: we've sorted through all the teams and all their results to come up with this week's power rankings.

124. Miami (Ohio) RedHawks

Up next: Miami is off until a Nov. 5 home game against Bowling Green (5-3, 3-1). The RedHawks lost 37-12 at the Falcons last season.

Notable: Though still far from getting into the win column, the RedHawks are starting to score more, scoring 17 and 16 points the last two weeks after averaging only nine points per game in their first six contests.

123. Eastern Michigan Eagles

Up next: The Eagles play their fourth road game in five weeks, visiting Toledo (5-3, 3-1) on Saturday. EMU has lost 12 of 13 to the Rockets, the lone win in that stretch coming via a 17-13 victory in 2006.

Notable: EMU has allowed at least 42 points in six of its last seven games, and for the season is yielding 44.4 points per game while scoring only 19.8 a contest.

122. Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles

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Average rating: 151.0

Week 9 result: Southern Mississippi (0-7, 0-3 Conference USA) lost 55-14 at home to North Texas.

Up next: The Golden Eagles play Saturday at Marshall (4-3, 2-1). The Thundering Herd beat USM 55-24 in Hattiesburg last season.

Notable: With New Mexico winning this past week, Southern Mississippi stands alone with the longest active losing streak in FBS, at 19 games.

109. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

Up next: The Bulldogs are off until a Nov. 9 home game against Southern Mississippi (0-7, 0-3).

Notable: Louisiana Tech averaged more than 50 points per game in 2012, leading the nation, but is scoring just 19.5 points per game this season.

108. Air Force Falcons

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Average rating: 119.0

Week 9 result: Air Force (1-7) couldn't build off an early 7-0 lead against visiting Notre Dame (6-2), falling 45-10 in a nonconference game.

Up next: The Falcons stay home to face Army (3-5) on Saturday. Air Force lost 41-21 in West Point last season after winning the previous six against the Black Knights.

Notable: Air Force has lost nine straight games against FBS opponents.

107. Purdue Boilermakers

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Average rating: 119.0

Week 9 result: Bye.

Up next: Purdue (1-6, 0-3 Big Ten) is back in action Saturday against Ohio State (8-0, 4-0). The Boilermakers have come out on top in each of their last two matchups with the Buckeyes at home, winning 26-23 in overtime in 2011.

Notable: Purdue has been held to 10 or fewer points four times this season.

106. Temple Owls

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Average rating: 116.0

Week 9 result: Temple (1-7, 0-4) lost 59-49 at SMU (3-4, 2-1).

Up next: The Owls visit Rutgers (4-3, 1-2) on Saturday. Rutgers has won the last three meetings, including a 35-10 decision last season.

Notable: Temple led 35-21 at SMU before falling apart. The Owls' best effort came from receiver Robbie Anderson, who caught nine balls for 239 yards and two touchdowns.

105. Central Michigan Chippewas

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Average rating: 114.5

Week 9 result: Bye.

Up next: Central Michigan (3-5, 2-2 Mid-American) is in the middle of an odd 18-day break, with its next game Nov. 6 at Ball State (8-1, 5-0). The Chippewas lost 41-30 at home to Cardinals last October.

Notable: The Chippewas are losing by an average of 14.8 points per game, with its three victories coming only by a combined 18 points.

96. South Alabama Jaguars

Up next: The Jaguars play Saturday at home against Arkansas State (3-4, 1-1). The Red Wolves won the first-ever meeting 36-29 last season.

Notable: South Alabama's four losses have come by 11 total points. Its loss at Texas State came on a field goal with four seconds left.

95. Memphis Tigers

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Average rating: 102.5

Week 9 result: Bye.

Up next: Memphis (1-5, 0-3 Big East) is home Wednesday for old Conference USA foe Cincinnati (5-2, 2-1). The teams last met in 2004, when Cincinnati won 49-10.

Notable: After starting the season a week late and with two midseason byes, Memphis will now play six weeks straight through to the end of the year. Two or more losses knock them out of bowl contention.

94. Kansas Jayhawks

Up next: The Jayhawks now play three of their next four on the road, starting with Saturday's game at Texas (5-2, 4-0). Kansas has lost 10 straight the Longhorns, including a 21-17 home loss last October.

Notable: Kansas is managing just 290.6 yards per game, ranked 117th nationally, while it hasn't scored more than 19 points against an FBS opponent this season.

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93. Tulsa Golden Hurricane

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Average rating: 100.0

Week 9 result: Tulsa (2-5, 1-2) lost 14-7 at Tulane (6-2, 4-0).

Up next: The Golden Hurricane host UTSA (3-5, 2-2) on Saturday. It will be the schools' first-ever meeting.

Notable: Tulsa is scoring just 20.9 points per game, averaging 16.2 points per game in its five losses.

92. Troy Trojans

Up next: The Trojans play Thursday at home against Louisiana-Monroe (4-4, 2-1). The Warhawks have won two straight in the series, including a 38-10 victory in 2011.

Notable: Troy quarterback Corey Robinson threw for 306 yards against Western Kentucky, giving him 12,453 for his career. He's the active passing leader in FBS and 17th all-time.

91. Nevada Wolfpack

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Average rating: 96.5

Week 9 result: Nevada (3-5, 2-3 Mountain West) lost 27-22 at home to UNLV, ending an eight-game win streak over its in-state rivals.

Up next: The Wolfpack visit Fresno State (7-0, 4-0) on Saturday. The Bulldogs won their meeting 52-36 in Reno last year.

Notable: Nevada has lost three straight and would need to win three of four down the stretch (against teams that are all at .500 or above) to be bowl eligible for a ninth straight season.

90. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

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Average rating: 95.5

Week 9 result: Middle Tennessee (4-4, 2-2 Conference USA) got a nine-yard touchdown pass from Logan Kilgore to Tavarres Jefferson on the final play of the game in the Blue Raiders' 51-49 win over Marshall (4-3, 2-1).

Up next: MTSU plays Saturday at UAB (2-5, 1-2). The schools last met in 2000, when UAB won 14-9.

Notable: The Blue Raiders' bowl hopes look bright, as their remaining four opponents are a combined 4-24.

89. UNLV Runnin' Rebels

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Average rating: 94.5

Week 9 result: UNLV (5-3, 3-1 Mountain West) won 27-22 at Nevada (3-5, 2-3), its first win over its in-state rival since 2004.

Up next: The Runnin' Rebels will look to become bowl-eligible when it hosts San Jose State (4-3, 3-1) on Saturday. It will be the schools' first meeting since 1997.

Notable: UNLV quarterback Caleb Herring threw for 335 yards and three touchdowns against Nevada, his second 300-yard game in three weeks.

87. SMU Mustangs

Up next: The Mustangs are off until a Nov. 9 game at Cincinnati (5-2, 2-1). The schools have never met before.

Notable: SMU quarterback Garrett Gilbert threw for 538 yards and four touchdowns against Temple, giving him 2,634 passing yards for he season. He's also the Mustangs' leading rusher, with 224 yards and five TDs.

86. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

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Average rating: 89.0

Week 9 result: Western Kentucky (4-4, 1-3 Sun Belt) lost 32-26 at home to Troy (5-3, 3-1), the Hilltoppers send home loss in 11 days.

Up next: Western Kentucky will hope for better luck on the road when it visits Georgia State (0-8, 0-3) on Saturday. The schools have never met before.

82. North Carolina State Wolfpack

Up next: The Wolfpack return home to face in-state rival North Carolina (2-5, 1-3) on Saturday. UNC won 43-35 at home last October after NC State had won the previous five meetings.

Notable: NC State is 0-4 in ACC play for the first time since 2009, but had some bright spots in the loss to FSU. Shadrach Thornton ran for 173 yards, nearly matching his season total, while quarterback Brandon Mitchell returned for the first time since breaking his foot in August.

81. San Diego State Aztecs

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Average rating: 83.5

Week 9 result: San Diego State (3-4, 2-1 Mountain West) missed out on a big upset chance, rallying from 14 points down to tie Fresno State (7-0, 4-0) before falling 35-28 in overtime.

Up next: The Aztecs stay home to host New Mexico (2-5, 0-3) on Saturday. SDSU won 35-7 in 2011, the last of three straight wins over the Lobos.

Notable: SDSU junior Quinn Kaehler had a career-best game at quarterback, completing 21-of-39 passes for 337 yards. He didn't throw a touchdown, though, as the Aztecs scored all four TDs via the run game.

77. Tulane Green Wave

Up next: The Green Wave play Saturday at Florida Atlantic (2-6, 1-4). The schools have never played before.

Notable: Tulane is bowl-eligible for the first time since the 2002 season, but it can achieve loftier goals. On a four-game win streak, the Wave's next three opponents are a combined 6-17 before they face West Division co-leader Rice to end the regular season.

76. Illinois Fighting Illini

Up next: The Fighting Illini will play Saturday at Penn State (4-3, 1-2). Illinois is 4-16 all-time against the Nittany Lions, losing last season's home game 35-7.

Notable: Illinois has lost 17 consecutive Big Ten games, its last league victory coming more than two years ago against Indiana.

75. West Virginia Mountaineers

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Average rating: 75.5

Week 9 result: West Virginia (3-5, 1-4 Big 12) lost 35-12 at Kansas State (3-4, 1-3), its third straight setback.

Up next: The Mountaineers play their third road game out of four, visiting TCU (3-5, 1-4). West Virginia lost 39-38 in overtime to the Horned Frogs last season.

Notable: West Virginia is averaging under 23 points per game this season, compared to more than 39 a year ago.

74. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

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Average rating: 75.5

Week 9 result: Wake Forest (4-4, 2-3 ACC) nearly pulled off a major upset, leading Miami, Fla. (7-0, 3-0) most of the way before ultimately falling 24-20 on the road.

Up next: The Demon Deacons go from the southern end of the league to its northern reaches, playing Saturday at Syracuse (3-4, 1-2). Syracuse won the last of two all-time meetings with Wake, a 36-29 victory in 2011.

Notable: The loss to Miami was actually the second-highest scoring game the Deacons have played this season. Only a 56-7 loss to Clemson involved more points.

73. Navy Midshipmen

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Average rating: 78.0

Week 9 result: Navy (4-3) scored 10 points in the final four minutes, getting a 30-yard field goal from Nick Sloan as time expired to win 27-24 over visiting Pittsburgh (4-3).

Up next: The Midshipmen play Saturday at Notre Dame (6-2), which has beaten them by an average score of 53-12 the last two years.

Notable: Navy remains incredibly devoted to the option game, and as a result are 120th in passing and 10th in rushing.

69. Ohio Bobcats

Up next: The Bobcats are off until Nov. 5 when they visit Buffalo (6-2, 4-0) in matchup between two of the East Division's top three teams. Ohio has won three of four over the Bulls, including a 38-31 home win last season.

Notable: Senior quarterback Tyler Tettleton has thrown for exactly 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns over his last three games. For his career he's at 8,307 yards and 63 TDs.

68. Arkansas Razorbacks

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Average rating: 70.0

Week 9 result: Bye.

Up next: Arkansas (3-5, 0-4 SEC) will try to snap its five-game losing streak when it hosts Auburn (7-1, 3-1) on Saturday. The Razorbacks won 24-7 at Auburn last October.

Notable: Arkansas has lost five straight, scoring just 17 points in the last three defeats while allowing 134 points.

67. Marshall Thundering Herd

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Average rating: 70.0

Week 9 result: Marshall (4-3, 2-1 Conference USA) lost 51-49 at Middle Tennessee (4-4, 2-2), allowing a touchdown pass on the final play of the game.

Up next: The Thundering Herd returns home for a Saturday game against Southern Mississippi (0-7, 0-3). Marshall won 59-24 on the road last October.

Notable: Marshall, which has been on the road for four of its past five games, is riding a five-game home win streak.

66. Syracuse Orange

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Average rating: 70.0

Week 9 result: Bye.

Up next: Syracuse (3-4, 1-2 ACC) is back on the field Saturday at home against Wake Forest (4-4, 2-3). The teams have split their two previous meetings, with the Orange winning 36-29 in overtime in a nonconference game in 2011.

Notable: The Orange are among the worst passing teams in the country, averaging just 190.9 yards per game through the air.

65. Bowling Green Falcons

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Average rating: 65.0

Week 9 result: Bowling Green (5-3, 3-1) rallied from a 21-0 deficit only to lost 28-25 at home to Toledo (5-3, 3-1).

Up next: The Falcons are off until Nov. 5 when they play at Miami, Ohio (0-8, 0-4). Bowling Green has won the last two meetings, including a 37-12 home victory last October.

Notable: Bowling Green has dropped two straight since starting 5-1, but despite allowing 49 points in those games the Falcons are still 13th nationally in scoring defense at 18.5 points per game.

64. North Carolina Tar Heels

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Average rating: 64.5

Week 9 result: North Carolina (2-5, 0-3 ACC) snapped a four-game win streak with a 34-10 home win over Boston College (3-4, 1-3).

Up next: The Tar Heels play Saturday at North Carolina State (3-4, 0-4). North Carolina's 43-35 win at home last season snapped a five-game losing streak to the Wolfpack.

Notable: UNC has averaged 37 points per game in its two victories, but just 20.2 in games it has lost.

63. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

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Average rating: 64.5

Week 9 result: Rutgers (4-3, 1-2 American) lost 49-14 at home to Houston (6-1, 3-0), its second straight loss.

Up next: The Scarlet Knights remain home to face Temple (1-7, 0-4) on Saturday. Rutgers has won three straight over the Owls, including a 35-10 win last season.

Notable: Gary Nova, who has 14 touchdown passes on the season, was picked off four times by Houston and now has seven interceptions in his last two games. He has 11 for the year.

56. Toledo Rockets

Up next: Toledo is home to face Eastern Michigan (1-7, 0-4). The Rockets have beaten the Eagles six straight times, including a 52-47 road win last year.

Notable: The Rockets have won five of six since opening with losses at SEC foes Florida and Missouri.

55. Indiana Hoosiers

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Average rating: 54.0

Week 9 result: Bye.

Up next: Indiana (3-4, 1-2 Big Ten) hosts Minnesota (6-2, 2-2) on Saturday. The Hoosiers lost their last meeting with the Golden Gophers, falling 16-7 in 2008.

Notable: The Hoosiers likely spent their time off working trying to shore up a defense that is allowing 37.1 points per game, including 52.5 points per game in their last two losses.

54. TCU Horned Frogs

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Average rating: 53.5

Week 9 result: TCU (3-5, 1-4 Big 12) lost 30-7 at home to Texas (5-2, 4-0) in a game that had a three-hour weather in the middle.

Up next: The Horned Frogs are home to face West Virgina (3-5, 1-4). TCU beat the Mountaineers 39-38 in overtime last season in Morgantown.

Notable: The Frogs are now 1-5 all-time at home in the Big 12, its only victory coming three weeks ago against Kansas.

53. Washington State Cougars

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Average rating: 53.5

Week 9 result: Bye.

Up next: Washington State (4-4, 2-3 Pac-12) hits the field on Halloween night, hosting Arizona State (5-2, 3-1) for a Thursday affair. The Cougars are 1-8 in their last nine games against the Sun Devils, but that one victory came at home in 2011.

Notable: Cougars QB Connor Halliday is coming off a record performance in his last game, a 62-38 loss at Oregon. The junior completed 58-of-89 passes for 557 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions. The 89 attempts is an FBS record.

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52. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Prescott threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half, when the Bulldogs led 21-7 before Kentucky scored 12 straight points to make a game of it in the third quarter. Prescott then gave MSU some breathing room when he caught a 17-yard TD pass from Jameon Lewis in the final minute of the third quarter.

Up next: The Bulldogs hit the road for three of their next four games, beginning with Saturday's trip to South Carolina (6-2, 4-2). MSU has lost six straight to the Gamecocks, the last being a 14-12 setback in 2011.

Notable: Mississippi State has played just one true road game this season, losing 24-20 at Auburn in September, and are on a four-game road losing streak.

51. Kansas State Wildcats

Up next: The Wildcats host Iowa State (1-6, 0-4), a team its beaten five consecutive times. K-State won 27-21 on the road last season.

Notable: Despite the slow start, K-State's schedule makes reaching six wins and bowl eligibility a strong possibility. Besides ISU, the Wildcats also host TCU and finish the year at woeful Kansas.

50. East Carolina Pirates

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Average rating: 50.0

Week 9 result: Bye.

Up next: East Carolina (5-2, 3-1 Conference USA) returns to action Saturday when it visits Florida International (1-6, 1-2), a new C-USA member that it has never faced before.

Notable: The Pirates are eight points from being included with Northern Illinois and Fresno State as an unbeaten BCS buster. They lost by five points to Virginia Tech and by three in overtime to Tulane.

49. Utah State Aggies

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Average rating: 46.5

Week 9 result: Bye.

Up next: Utah State (4-4, 3-1 Mountain West) hosts Hawaii (0-7, 0-5) on Saturday. The Aggies won their last meeting with the Warriors in 2011, beating Hawaii 35-31.

Notable: The Aggies have lost their last two home games, falling to BYU and Boise State in back-to-back weeks, after winning their previous nine in Logan dating back to the 2011 season.

The Commodores were down 28-0 before they could get anything going on offense, and even when they'd score they couldn't slow down the Aggies at all. Vandy was outgained 558-329 despite forcing five Texas A&M turnovers.

Up next: Vandy is off until a Nov. 9 trip to Florida (4-3, 3-2). The Commodores have lost 22 straight the Gators, last beating them in 1988.

Notable: Despite the loss, receiver Jordan Matthews caught eight passes for 92 yards to become the SEC's career receiving yardage leader. He now has 3,172 yards, passing former Georgia WR Terrence Edwards' mark of 3,093.

47. Utah Utes

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Average rating: 45.0

Week 9 result: Utah (4-4, 1-4 Pac-12) turned in one of the worst offensive performances of the season, dropping a 19-3 game at USC (5-3, 2-2).

The Utes gained just 201 total yards and committed four turnovers, with those giveaways leading to 16 of the Trojans' 19 points. Quarterback Travis Wilson struggled and was pulled twice, while kicker Andy Phillips missed two field goals for the second week in a row after going 11-for-11 to start the year.

Up next: Utah takes its two-game skid into a bye week before hosting Arizona State (5-2, 3-1) on Nov. 9. The Utes lost 37-7 at ASU last year, their ninth straight loss dating back to 1977.

Notable: Utah has lost three of four since a 3-1 start. That one victory, though, gave Stanford its only loss of the season.

46. Tennessee Volunteers

A week after the Volunteers pulled off the home upset of South Carolina, a sign the program might be turning a corner back to respectability, they were humbled by the defending champs in all facets of the game. Justin Worley was picked off twice and held to 120 passing yards, while Tennessee's defense couldn't slow down any of Alabama's weapons.

A small silver lining came in the fact the Vols scored more points against Alabama than anyone else during a dominating stretch of outscoring foes 246-26.

Up next: Tennessee plays its fourth straight ranked opponent, and sixth in the last seven games, when it visits Missouri (7-1, 3-1) on Saturday. The Vols lost 51-48 in overtime to the Tigers last November.

Notable: With 70 yards and a TD against Alabama, tailback Rajion Neal surpassed his rushing total from 2012. He now has 763 yards and nine TDs, compared to 708 yards and five TDs in 2012.

45. Penn State Nittany Lions

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Average rating: 44.0

Week 9 result: Penn State (4-3, 1-2 Big Ten) was no match for Ohio State (8-0, 4-0) and its mission to impress the BCS voters and computers, getting thumped 63-14 on the road.

The Nittany Lions trailed 28-0 midway through the second quarter en route to its worst defeat in more than a century. The Buckeyes overwhelmed freshman quarterback Christian Hackenberg, who threw for just 112 yards with two interceptions and a touchdown before getting pulled.

PSU could do nothing defensively, allowing Braxton Miller to go 18-for-24 for 252 yards and three TDs and Carlos Hyde to gain 147 yards and two scores. The Buckeyes had 686 yards of total offense.

Up next: Penn State is home to face Illinois (3-4, 0-3) on Saturday. The Lions have won 16 of 20 all-time meetings with the Fighting Illini, including last year's 35-7 road win.

Notable: Thanks to a dazzling late touchdown, PSU receiver Allen Robinson still managed a big game. He finished with 12 catches for 173 yards and the TD, giving him 55 receptions for 878 yards. Both of those numbers lead the Big Ten.

44. Iowa Hawkeyes

The Hawkeyes led 10-0 at halftime, then nearly blew it by letting the Wildcats get back into the game and force extra time. In the OT, Jake Rudock threw an eight-yard TD pass to C.J. Fiedorowicz and then Iowa's defense held to break a two-game losing streak.

Rudock threw for 169 yards, but the Hawkeyes were outgained by Northwestern because of a distinct rushing advantage.

Up next: Iowa is home against Saturday for Wisconsin (5-2, 3-1). The all-time series is tied 42-42-2, with Wisconsin edging out a 31-30 win in the last meeting in 2010.

Notable: Iowa has led at halftime in nearly every game this season, including in losses to Northern Illinois, Michigan State and Ohio State.

43. Georgia Tech Yellowjackets

The Yellowjackets again stuck to their run-heavy gameplan, finishing with 394 rushing yards and keeping Vad Lee's passing to a minimum. The result was five rushing touchdowns from four different players, with Zach Laskey gaining 133 yards and two TDs.

But Georgia Tech struggled to contain Virginia quarterback David Watford, who was 43-of-61 for 376 yards with two TDs and kept the Cavaliers in the game throughout.

Up next: Georgia Tech returns home to host Pittsburgh (4-3, 2-2) on Saturday. The teams haven't met since 1976, with Pitt taking a 42-14 victory.

Notable: The Yellowjackets have been streaky all season, opening with three wins and then three losses before winning their last two. They haven't been able to string together a longer streak, either way, since starting 6-0 to open the 2011 season.

42. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Despite 165 rushing yards from Ameer Abdullah, the Cornhuskers were inconsistent on offense and couldn't make any defensive plays. Each time they looked to be making a second-half comeback, Minnesota would score again to maintain its lead.

The loss erased all the momentum Nebraska had built up with three straight victories, each more convincing than the previous. Now the Cornhuskers have to try and rebound.

Up next: Nebraska is home to face Northwestern (4-4, 0-4) on Saturday. The Huskers are 4-2 all-time against the Wildcats, winning 29-28 in Evanston last year.

Notable: Nebraska's passing offense remains in struggle mode. Even with Taylor Martinez back this past game, the Cornhuskers are gaining just 195.9 yards per game.

41. Boise State Broncos

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Average rating: 39.5

Week 9 result: Boise (5-3) lost 37-20 at BYU (6-2) in a nonconference game, committing four turnovers that led to the end of the Broncos' three-game win streak.

Playing without quarterback Joe Southwick, who broke his ankle the week before, Boise struggled to move the ball early and trailed 24-3 at halftime. Grant Hedrick threw for 232 yards in his first career start, but he and his Boise teammates committed four turnovers.

Despite the loss, the Bronocs got another strong run performance from Jay Ajayi, who rushed for 151 yards on 23 carries.

Up next: Boise returns to Mountain West Conference play, where it is 3-1, with a game Saturday at Colorado State (4-4, 2-1). The Broncos beat the Rams 42-14 at home last November.

Notable: The loss dropped Boise coach Chris Petersen to 89-11 in his career, though his .890 winning percentage is still tops in FBS history. The loss also ended a rather odd win streak, as the Broncos hadn't lost a game in October since 2001, a span of 50 games.

40. Minnesota Golden Gophers

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Average rating: 39.375

Week 9 result: Minnesota (6-2, 2-2 Big Ten) put itself in the middle of the Legends Division race with a 34-23 home win over Nebraska (5-2, 2-1), the Golden Gophers' first win over the Cornhuskers since 1960.

Minnesota did it with a consistent rushing game and just enough defensive pressure to slow down Nebraska's gameplan. The Gophers trailed 10-0 early but then started to push Nebraska around, going on a 27-3 run to take control.

Minnesota rushed for 271 yards, with 138 of those coming from David Cobb, while its defense held Taylor Martinez to just 139 yards on 16-of-30 passing.

Up next: The Gophers visit Indiana (3-4, 1-2) on Saturday. Minnesota has won three of four over the Hoosiers, taking the last meeting 16-7 in 2008.

Notable: Minnesota is finding a way to win despite one of the worst passing games in FBS. The Gophers are throwing for 122.9 yards per game, 119th overall.

39. Duke Blue Devils

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Average rating: 39.3

Week 9 result: Duke (6-2, 2-2 ACC) scored the most unexpected upset of Week 9, outplaying Virginia Tech (6-2, 3-1) at its own game in a 13-10 road victory.

The Blue Devils had just 198 yards (compared to 387 for the Hokies) and committed four turnovers, but after building a 13-0 lead they held it by intercepting four Logan Thomas passes.

Quarterback Anthony Boone completed just seven of 25 passes for 107 yards and four interceptions and Duke failed to convert a third down all game, but Boone's nine-yard TD run midway through the third quarter proved to be the difference.

Up next: Duke is off until Nov. 9 when it hosts North Carolina State (3-4, 0-4). The teams last met in 2009 when Duke beat the Wolfpack 49-28 to end a 11-game skid in the series.

Notable: The Blue Devils are bowl eligible for the second straight season, a never-before occurrence in program history. Duke was 6-2 last season, then lost its last five games, including to Cincinnati in the Belk Bowl.

38. Ball State Cardinals

The Cardinals led 28-10 at halftime, then put it on cruise control en route to their sixth straight victory. Keith Wenning was 25-of-35 for 240 yards and five touchdowns, two each to Jordan Williams and Willie Snead.

Jahwan Edwards added 120 yards and a TD on the ground for the Cardinals, which were actually outgained 437-434 by the Zips but forced three Akron turnovers.

Up next: Ball State, which hasn't played a winning team in more than a month, gets another sub-.500 opponent when it hosts Central Michigan (3-5, 2-2), but not until Nov. 6. The Cardinals have won four of five over the Chippewas, the most recent a 41-30 road win last October.

Notable: Wenning, a senior, surpassed 10,000 career passing yards against Akron. He has 80 career touchdowns as well, and is set to pass last year's passing total in his next outing.

37. USC Trojans

The Trojans had an abysmal run game but just enough of a passing attack to score one offensive touchdown. Otherwise it was all defense and the foot of kicker Andre Heidari, who made four of five field goal attempts.

USC also forced four Utah turnovers, converting each of them into points. All that defense helped overcome a run game that managed a paltry 30 yards.

Up next: USC hits the road to face Oregon State (6-2, 4-1) on Friday. The Trojans have dropped their last three trips to Corvallis, the last a 36-7 thumping in 2010.

Notable: The Trojans have played in three games that each featured two or fewer total touchdowns, but also played back-to-back games of 62-41 and 38-31, splitting those matchups. It's hard to figure what to make of USC this season.

36. Arizona Wildcats

Carey, who leads the nation in rushing at 153.3 yards per game, had 119 yards on 23 carries against the Buffaloes. He was actually second on the Wildcats in rushing yardage, as quarterback B.J. Denker ran for 192 yards on 15 carries to go with his 265 passing yards.

The Wildcats finished with 405 rushing yards, while keeping Colorado's big-play game in check other than for a first-quarter TD reception of 75 yards by speedster Paul Richardson.

Up next: Arizona remains on the road for a trip to California (1-7, 0-5). The Wildcats and Golden Bears last played in 2010, with Arizona eeking out a 10-9 victory in Tucson.

Notable: The Wildcats have scored 31 or more points in six of seven games this season, while their defense is allowing just 19.9 points per game.

35. Houston Cougars

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Average rating: 34.167

Week 9 result: Houston (6-1, 3-0 American) bounced back from its first loss of the season in resounding fashion, rolling to a 49-14 win at Rutgers (4-3, 1-2).

The Cougars racked up 611 yards of total offense, getting 364 yards and five touchdowns from John O'Korn and three TD catches (along with 168 yards) from receiver Deontay Greenberry.

Houston forced the Scarlet Knights into six turnovers, with QB Gary Nova completing just 7-of-15 passes with three interceptions.

Up next: Houston is home Thursday for South Florida (2-5, 2-1), a tuneup before the Cougars visit UCF the following week in a battle for first in the AAC. South Florida has won both meetings, the last coming in 2002.

Notable: The Cougars have scored 46 or more points four times this season, but have also won games where they only needed to score in the 20s to be victorious. As a result they're in the top 35 in both scoring offense and defense.

34. Florida Gators

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Average rating: 32.375

Week 9 result: Bye.

Up next: Florida (4-3, 3-2 SEC) heads to Jacksonville on Saturday for its annual cocktail party tussle with Georgia (4-3, 3-2). The Gators have dropped the last two games in the series.

Notable: The Gators are trying to avoid their first three-game losing streak since dropping four in a row in 2011. They lost to Georgia during that stretch.

33. Ole Miss Rebels

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Average rating: 31.4

Week 9 result: Ole Miss (5-3) stepped away from the SEC for a week to beat up on independent Idaho (1-7), crushing the visiting Vandals 59-14.

The Rebels outgained Idaho 572-253, going on runs of 17-0, 21-0 and 21-0 in between Idaho scores. Bo Wallace threw for 186 yards and two touchdowns, both on long throws to Ja-Mes Logan, while back I'Tavius Mathers ran for 138 yards and a TD.

Up next: The Rebels return to SEC play, where they're 2-3, by hosting Arkansas (3-5, 0-4) on Saturday as part of a six-game homestand. Ole Miss beat the Razorbacks 30-27 at home last season.

Notable: The victory gave Ole Miss two straight wins, keeping it on a season of streaks. The Rebels opened 3-0, then lost three straight before winning these last two.

32. Oregon State Beavers

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Average rating: 30.8

Week 9 result: Oregon State (6-2, 4-1 Pac-12) fell short of a major victory, seeing a potential game-tying touchdown pass with one second left get batted down in a 20-12 home loss to Stanford (7-1, 5-1).

The Beavers struggled to ever get its fast-and-efficient passing offense in gear, as Sean Mannion finished with 171 yards below his season average despite completing 41-of-57 passes. Stanford cut off any efforts to throw deep or in gaps, blanketing the field with defenders that forced Mannion to go short all the time.

OSU's inability to run the ball (it had 17 yards against Stanford, thanks to minus-60 in sack losses) made it even more one-dimensional than normal, and the Beavers couldn't figure a way around that.

Up next: OSU stays home to face USC (5-3, 2-2) on Friday. The Beavers have won their last three meetings with the Trojans in Corvallis, including a 36-7 romp in 2010.

Notable: Even with the subpar passing numbers, Mannion still leads the nation with 407.9 yards per game and 30 touchdowns. That helps make up for being 122nd nationally in rushing offense.

31. Virginia Tech Hokies

The Hokies were riding a six-game win streak, looking more and more like their old self each week, before doing almost nothing offensively against the Blue Devils. Virginia Tech trailed 13-0 until the final minute of the fourth quarter, despite holding Duke to 198 total yards and forcing four turnovers.

Tech didn't do much better on offense, also turning it over four times. Quarterback Logan Thomas accounted for 315 of the Hokies' 387 yards but was picked off four times.

Up next: Virginia Tech plays three of its last four games on the road, starting with Saturday's trip to Boston College (3-4, 1-3). The Hokies have won six of the last seven against the Eagles, including twice in the ACC title game, but needed overtime to win at home 30-23 last season.

Notable: Despite a 6-2 record, Virginia Tech is only outscoring its opponents by an average of 21-15. No team with a winning record is scoring less than the Hokies.

29. BYU Cougars

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Average rating: 28.2

Week 9 result: BYU (6-2) got 408 yards of total offense and three total touchdowns from quarterback Taysom Hill in a 37-20 home win over Boise State (5-3).

The Cougars led 24-3 at halftime, with Hill throwing two TD passes and ran for a score during that time span. His TD pass to Cody Hoffman was Hoffman's 31st career TD catch, breaking the school record.

Up next: The Cougars are off until Nov. 9 when they head to the upper Midwest to face Wisconsin (5-2). It is BYU's first game against a Big Ten opponent since losing to Ohio State in the 1993 Holiday Bowl, while its only previous meeting with Wisconsin resulted in a 28-3 win in 1980.

Notable: Another victory would give the Cougars their first six-game winning streak since the 2009-2010 seasons.

28. Georgia Bulldogs

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Average rating: 28.0

Week 9 result: Bye.

Up next: Georgia (4-3, 3-2 SEC) returns to action Saturday when it meets Florida (4-3, 3-2) in their annual cocktail party game in Jacksonville, Fla. The Bulldogs have won the last two meetings.

Notable: The Bulldogs are trying to avoid their first three-game losing streak since ending the 2010 season with a loss to Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl then dropping games to Boise State and South Carolina to open the 2011 campaign.

27. Texas Longhorns

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Average rating: 27.3

Week 9 result: Texas (5-2, 4-0 Big 12) continued its rise from the perceived ashes of a ruined season with its fourth straight victory, cruising to a 30-7 win at TCU (3-5, 1-4) in a game that featured a three-hour, six-minute weather delay.

The Longhorns provided almost as much lightning as the storm that paused the game midway through. Case McCoy threw for 228 yards and a touchdown, while Malcolm Brown ran for two short TDs in a completely dominant performance.

Texas held TCU to just 246 yards of offense, only 45 of that coming on the ground, while forcing three turnovers.

Up next: Texas is home Saturday for Kansas (2-5, 0-4), looking for its first five-game win streak since opening the 2009 season 13-0. The Horns haven't lost to Kansas since 1938.

Notable: Though the stats aren't stellar, Texas is showing consistency on offense, scoring at least 30 points in four straight games.

26. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

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Average rating: 27.0

Week 9 result: Notre Dame (6-2) made its trip to the Rocky Mountains look easy, cruising to a 45-10 win at Air Force (1-7).

After falling behind early and leading just 14-10 midway through the second quarter, the Fighting Irish turned up the gears to score the game's last 31 points behind the career night from quarerback Tommy Rees.

Rees completed 17-of-22 passes for 284 yards and five touchdowns, connecting with five different receivers on the scores. Not bad for someone that had to leave the previous week's win over USC because of a neck strain.

While Notre Dame did allow the Falcons to rush for 290 yards, it kept them out of the end zone for the final 50 minutes of the game, marking the fourth time this season the Irish have limited opponents to one or fewer touchdowns.

Up next: Notre Dame is back home to face Navy (4-3) on Saturday. The Irish have won the last two meetings by an average score of 53-12 after falling to the Midshipmen in their two previous games.

Notable: With 54 career TD passes, Rees is now third on the Notre Dame all-time list, passing Ron Powlus on Saturday.

The Bulldogs led 28-14 midway through the fourth quarter but saw SDSU score twice in less than three minutes thanks to an onside kick to force overtime. The Aztecs had a chance to end it in regulation, but their 37-yard field goal was blocked.

In OT, Marteze Waller (FSU's leading rusher, with 22 yards) scored on a 1-yard run. All told it was FSU's poorest offensive performance of the season with just 341 total yards.

Up next: The Bulldogs return home Saturday to host Nevada (3-5, 2-3). FSU won 52-36 last season, snapping a four-game skid to the Wolfpack.

Notable: Derek Carr had just 298 passing yards along with two TDs, his worst output against an FBS program this season. It dropped his per-game average to 367.7, which now ranks third in the country.

The Huskies racked up 658 yards of total offense and got another amazing all-around performance from Jordan Lynch, who became the second player in the last 10 years to throw four touchdown passes, rush for a TD and catch a TD pass in the same game.

He threw for 223 yards on 16-of-20 passing, gained 99 yards on 18 attempts and caught a 17-yard scoring through from receiver Tommylee Lewis early in the second quarter.

Up next: NIU gets another weak foe to annihilate, albeit on the road, when it visits Massachusetts (1-7, 1-3) on Saturday. The Huskies crushed the Minutemen 63-0 at home last season.

Notable: Lynch, who last week set an FBS single-game record for rushing yards by a quarterback, actually dropped his total yardage average to 342.8 yards per game, which is 12th-best nationally.

23. Michigan Wolverines

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Average rating: 25.2

Week 9 result: Bye.

Up next: Michigan (6-1, 2-1 Big Ten) returns to action Saturday when it hits the road for its annual grudge match with Michigan State (7-1, 4-0), a game that will go a long way toward determining the Big Ten Legends Division title. Michigan has lost its last two trips to East Lansing.

Notable: Devin Gardner is 16th nationally in individual total offense, averaging 328.4 yards per game. That's more than 80 yards better than the second-best player in the Big Ten, Ohio State's Braxton Miller (247.7 yards per game).

22. Michigan State Spartans

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Average rating: 22.2

Week 9 result: Michigan State (7-1, 4-0 Big Ten) cruised to a 42-3 win at Illinois (3-4, 0-3), the Spartans' second straight game without allowing a touchdown.

The Spartans had an above-average offensive game, while remaining as stout as ever defending the ball. They gained 477 yards, with Connor Cook completing 15-of-16 passes for 208 yards and three touchdowns, while only allowing the Fighting Illini 128 total yards and forcing them into two turnovers.

Jeremy Langford added 104 rushing yards and two TDs as MSU completely controlled all facets of the game, even third-down conversions (14-of-16).

Up next: MSU can take a strangehold on the Big Ten's Legends Division lead when it hosts Michigan (6-1, 2-1) on Saturday. Michigan won 12-10 at home last year, but the Spartans took the four meetings prior to that.

Notable: At 215.5 yards per game, Michigan State has a 29-yard lead (over Louisville) for the top total defense in FBS. The Spartans are also third in scoring defense, yielding 12.3 points per game.

21. Arizona State Sun Devils

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Average rating: 21.8

Week 9 result: Bye.

Up next: Arizona State (5-2, 3-1 Pac-12)plays a Halloween night game at Washington State (4-4, 2-3). The Sun Devils have won eight of nine against the Cougars, including last season's 46-7 home win.

Notable: Even with the week off, ASU's Marion Grice still leads the nation with 108 points, 18 more than anyone else. His 15.4 points-per-game average is four points better than the next person, Sun Devils kicker Zane Gonzalez.

20. UCF Knights

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Average rating: 21.6

Week 9 result: UCF (6-1, 3-0 AAC) continued its solid play of late with a 62-17 romp over Connecticut (0-7, 0-3).

The Knights never trailed, and after the Huskies got within 21-10 early in the second quarter they ran off 34 straight points to put the game away. UCF outgained Connecticut 527-233 and forced four turnovers, with Blake Bortles completing 20-of-24 passes for 286 yards and four touchdowns.

Up next: UCF is off until Nov. 9 when it hosts Houston (6-1, 3-0) in the de facto AAC title game. The schools met four times while both members of Conference USA, with the Knights taking three of those.

Notable: The Knights are in the top 30 nationally in scoring offense (37.0 points per game) and top 20 in scoring defense (19.3).

19. Wisconsin Badgers

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Average rating: 18.6

Week 9 result: Bye.

Up next: Wisconsin (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) visits Iowa (5-3, 2-2) on Saturday. The Badgers pulled out a tight 31-30 victory in their last meeting with the Hawkeyes in 2010.

Notable: The Badgers have allowed at least 31 points in each of their three road games this season, going 1-2 in those contests. That includes the controversial 32-30 loss at Arizona State in which Joel Stave's odd way of downing the ball led to referee confusion and prevented Wisconsin from getting off one more play to set up a potential game-winning field goal.

18. UCLA Bruins

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Average rating: 18.2

Week 9 result: UCLA (5-2, 2-2 Pac-12) finished up one of the toughest two-game stretches in college football with a 42-14 loss at Oregon (8-0, 5-0).

Following a 24-10 loss at Stanford the week before, the Bruins actually controlled Saturday's game for the first 30 minutes, taking a 14-14 tie into halftime. But then UCLA fell apart, allowed 28 straight points to end up being on the wrong side of a blowout.

Brett Hundley had the worst game of his career, throwing for just 64 yards while throwing two interceptions, though he did had 73 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Bruins' offense has seen their scoring average drop from 45.8 to 36.1 during their losing streak.

Up next: UCLA will try to avoid letting their recent skid linger when they return home for a comparatively much easier game against Colorado (3-4, 0-4) on Saturday. The Bruins have won both meetings with the Buffaloes since they joined the Pac-12, winning 42-14 at Colorado last season.

Notable: Hundley appears to be hitting the sophomore slump midseason. He's thrown eight interceptions against 14 touchdowns this year, compared with 29 TDs and 11 picks over 14 games in 2012.

17. Louisville Cardinals

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Average rating: 17.6

Week 9 result: Louisville (7-1, 3-1 AAC) bounced back from its devastating home loss to UCF the week before with an easy 34-3 win at South Florida (2-5, 2-1).

The Cardinals had no trouble with the Bulls, scoring the last 27 points of the game and holding USF to 133 yards of total offense and two turnovers. Teddy Bridgewater had a near-perfect game, going 25-of-29 for 344 yards and three touchdowns, while Dominique Brown ran for 125 yards and caught a five-yard TD pass.

Louisville won despite nine penalties for 100 yards, nearly losing as much yardage from flags as USF gained on its own.

Up next: The Cardinals are off until Nov. 8 when the travel to Connecticut (0-7, 0-3). Louisville lost 23-20 in overtime at home to the Huskies last November.

Notable: After allowing more points in its last game (38) than in the previous five, Louisville got back into its defensive ways and lowered its scoring defense to 10.6 points per game, second-best in FBS.

16. Oklahoma State Cowboys

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Average rating: 17.2

Week 9 result: Oklahoma State (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) continued its quietly superlative season going with an impressive 58-27 win at Iowa State (1-6, 0-4).

The Cowboys won despite continued issues at quarterback, where Clint Chelf went just 10-of-26 for 78 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He was more than aided by an OSU rushing attack that gained 342 yards, with Desmond Roland (219 yards, four TDs) leading the charge.

OSU's defense also stepped up with timely play, forcing three turnovers that included a 54-yard fumble return TD by Tyler Johnson to extend OSU's lead to 45-20 late in the third quarter.

Up next: The Cowboys stay on the road for a much tougher matchup, visiting Texas Tech (7-1, 4-1) on Saturday. OSU has won four straight over the Red Raiders, downing them 59-21 at home last season.

Notable: While OSU's offense isn't churning out yards and points like it has in the past, the Cowboys' defense has improved to the point such massive scoring isn't necessary. OSU is allowing 19.8 points per game this year, compared to 28.2 in 2012.

15. Texas Tech Red Raiders

The Red Raiders led 24-21 late in the third quarter, paced by a stellar game from freshman Davis Webb (385 passing yards, two touchdowns), but Oklahoma scored twice in four minutes to take the lead for good and hold on.

Despite another strong offensive effort, the Raiders allowed a season-high in yards and committed three turnovers, one of which led to Oklahoma's go-ahead score late in the third quarter.

Up next: Tech is home for its next three games, starting with Saturday's visit from Oklahoma State (6-1, 3-1). The Red Raiders have dropped four straight to the Cowboys, including a 59-21 road loss last season.

Notable: Tech fell below its season points, passing yards and even rushing yards in the loss to Oklahoma. But the Raiders are still third nationally in passing offense at 412.9 yards per game and remain in the top 20 in scoring (39.8 points per game).

The Gamecocks were dead in the water until quarterback Connor Shaw came off the bench and orchestrated a massive late comeback, throwing the game-tying touchdown with 42 seconds left in regulation and then tossing another tying score on fourth down in the first OT. Not bad, considering Shaw had a bad knee injured the week before in a loss at Tennessee.

South Carolina won despite just 75 rushing yards and three turnovers, and now are right back in the SEC East division race.

Up next: The Gamecocks host Mississippi State (4-3, 1-2) on Saturday. They've won six in a row over the Bulldogs, most recently pulling out a 14-12 decision in 2011.

Notable: South Carolina plays the rest of its remaining games at home after having been on the road four of the previous five weeks. The Gamecocks have won 14 in a row in Columbia, its last loss there coming to Auburn in Oct. 2011.

13. Texas A&M Aggies

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Average rating: 12.6

Week 9 result: Texas A&M (6-2, 3-2 Big 12) got back on track following a home loss to Auburn the week before, rolling to a 56-24 win over Vanderbilt (4-4, 1-4).

The Aggies jumped out to a 28-0 lead in the game's first 17 minutes, with Johnny Manziel throwing three of his four touchdown passes in the first quarter. Manziel had 305 yards on the day, with 77 of those (and two TDs) going to top receiver Mike Evans.

Texas A&M also played maybe its best defensive game of the season, holding the Commodores to just 324 yards of total offense, compared to the 615 allowed in the loss to Auburn.

Up next: A&M steps outside the SEC for a week to beat up on in-state foe UTEP (1-6) on Saturday at home. The schools have only met twice before, with the Aggies taking both including a 45-17 victory in 2000.

Notable: Evans is up to 1,101 yards and 11 touchdowns this season, and his per-catch average of 22.9 tops the nation.

12. Auburn Tigers

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Average rating: 12.4

Week 9 result: Auburn (7-1) kicked back with a cupcake after its big win the week before, cruising to a 45-10 nonconference win over Florida Atlantic (2-6).

The Tigers gained 628 yards, including 422 on the ground, while freshman Jeremy Johnson threw for 192 yards and two touchdowns in place of starter Nick Marshall after Marshall went down with a shoulder injury.

It was Auburn's second laugher in three weeks, bookending its thrilling 45-41 win at Texas A&M that put the Tigers back on the national map a year after going 3-9.

Up next: Auburn heads back into SEC play, where it is 3-1, with a Saturday trip to Arkansas (3-5, 0-4). The Tigers have dropped four of five to the Razorbacks, including a 24-7 loss last season.

Notable: With 1,312 rushing yards in its last three games, Auburn has moved to No. 5 nationally in rushing offense with 315.4 yards per game.

11. Miami (Fla.) Hurricanes

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Average rating: 11.0

Week 9 result: Miami (7-0, 3-0 ACC) tried to tempt fate again, trailing visiting Wake Forest (4-4, 2-3) for most of the game before scoring in the final minute to secure a 24-20 victory.

The Hurricanes needed a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown runs from Duke Johnson, the last coming with 53 seconds left, to beat the Demon Deacons. Johnson carried 30 times for 168 yards and the two scores, getting consistent carries throughout the fourth quarter as the 'Canes stuck to the run game despite being behind.

Miami's late rally was only slightly less dramatic than its 27-23 come-from-behind win at North Carolina 10 days earlier.

Up next: Miami likely won't be able to get away with such a slow start on Saturday when it travels to Florida State (7-0, 5-0) in a game that will go a long way toward determining the ACC's title game matchup and who the league sends to the BCS. FSU has won the last three meetings in the series, taking a 33-20 decision at Miami last season.

Notable: Miami last began the season 7-0 in 2003, but then proceeded to lost back-to-back games to Virginia Tech and Tennessee.

10. LSU Tigers

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Average rating: 10.8

Week 9 result: LSU (7-2) took a break from the rigors of the SEC to bully around an FCS patsy, winning 48-16 over Furman (3-5).

The Tigers actually struggled early against the Palladins, leading just 20-16 at halftime due to a pair of turnovers, one of which was returned 74 yards to give Furman an early 7-0 lead. But LSU got things going in the second half and finished with 672 yards of total offense while allowing just 198.

Zach Mettenberger threw for 328 yards and three touchdowns, both Jeremy Hill and Terrence Magee rushed for more than 100 yards and two TDs and Odell Beckham caught six balls for 204 yards and two scores.

Up next: LSU gets a week off before visiting Alabama (8-0, 5-0) on Saturday in its return to SEC play, where the Tigers are 3-2. LSU lost 21-17 at home to the eventual national champions last November.

Notable: Beckham is one of four receivers in FBS to have already hit the 1,000-yard mark, while Hill is tied for the national lead in rushing TDs with 12 despite playing in only seven of LSU's games.

9. Oklahoma Sooners

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Average rating: 10.8

Week 9 result: Oklahoma (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) put itself back in the league championship picture and BCS discussion with a 38-30 home win over Texas Tech (7-1, 4-1).

The Sooners matched Tech's high-powered offense nearly blow-for-blow, getting a sold game from Blake Bell (14-of-22 passing, 249 yards, two TDs) but an even bigger effort from receiver Jalen Saunders. Saunders caught two TD passes in the second quarter and finished with 153 yards on six catches.

Oklahoma actually outgained Tech 526-460, a feat in and of itself, and successfully avenged a 2011 home loss to the Red Raiders that ended the Sooners' 39-game home win streak.

Up next: Oklahoma is off until Nov. 7 when it visits Baylor (7-1, 4-1) in a game with massive BCS implications.

8. Missouri Tigers

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Average rating: 10.0

Week 9 result: Missouri (7-1, 3-1 SEC) had its perfect season end with a resounding clang, as a chip shot field goal to force triple overtime doinked off the upright and enabled South Carolina (6-2, 4-2) to come away with a 27-24 victory.

The Tigers let a 17-0 lead slip away down the stretch, giving up the game-tying touchdown with under a minute left in regulation, then were one play away from victory in OT before South Carolina scored on fourth down to force the second extra session.

Mizzou did everything right early, then seemingly everything wrong toward the end, and thus an all but locked-up SEC East title is now in doubt

Up next: The Tigers host Tennessee (4-4, 1-3) on Saturday. Missouri needed overtime to beat the Volunteers last season, coming out with a 51-48 road victory.

Notable: Missouri is now 2-4 in SEC home games in its brief tenure in the league.

7. Clemson Tigers

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Average rating: 9.8

Week 9 result: Clemson (7-1, 5-1 ACC) got back to its winning ways but still struggled to win 40-27 at Maryland (5-3, 1-3).

The Tigers didn't manage their first touchdown until the final seconds of the first half and led just 19-13 after the third quarter before finally getting offensive traction en route to 540 yards of offense and their seventh straight road victory.

Tahj Boyd threw for 304 yards, while Roderick McDowell ran for 161 yards and two touchdowns to keep Clemson moving, while the defense forced four touchdowns to keep Maryland from pulling off the upset.

Up next: Clemson remains away from home visiting Virginia (2-6, 0-4) on Saturday. The Tigers have taken three of four from the Cavaliers, including last November's 34-21 victory.

Notable: The Tigers haven't lost away from home last year's 49-37 setback at Florida State. Since then they're winning by an average of 20 points per game.

6. Stanford Cardinal

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Average rating: 6.6

Week 9 result: Stanford (7-1, 5-1 Pac-12) re-asserted its defensive prowess and ability to control a game by slowing down Oregon State's up-tempo attack in a 20-12 road win over the Beavers (6-2, 4-1).

The Cardinal held the nation's top passing offense to 271 yards through the air, with OSU quarterback Sean Mannion needing 41 completions and 57 attempts to get that total. Even when the Beavers made a late charge, Stanford's plan to eliminate the deep ball and force short passes resulted in a stellar goal-line stand in the final moments.

Stanford didn't do much offensively, but still got an effective 145 rushing yards and three TDs from Tyler Gaffney that vastly contributed to its tempo-controlling gameplan.

Up next: Stanford now has off until Nov. 7, when it hosts Oregon (8-0, 5-0) in the game that will likely determine one or both of the Pac-12's BCS qualifiers. Stanford won in overtime last November in Eugene, a game that knocked the Ducks out of the BCS title game.

Notable: Gaffney, with seven rushing TDs in his last four games, is one of eight players tied for the national lead with 12 TDs. Four of those players are in the Pac-12.

5. Baylor Bears

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Average rating: 4.8

Week 9 result: Baylor (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) continued its massive roll through its schedule with a 59-14 win at Kansas (2-5, 0-4).

The Bears scored slightly below their season average, but you could hardly tell in a game they led 38-0 at halftime and finished with 743 yards of total offense. Bryce Petty threw for 430 yards and three touchdowns, while Lache Seastrunk and Shock Linwood each had more than 100 rushing yards and three combined TDs.

Defensively, Baylor stifled both of Kansas' quarterbacks and forced a pair of turnovers, continuing its trend of not just blowing teams out but keeping their own offenses in check.

Up next: Baylor has faced one opponent that currently has a winning record, but that changes in the next month in a big way. First up is a Nov. 7 game against Oklahoma (7-1, 4-1), whom the Bears have beaten just once in 22 all-time meetings. That came two years ago, at home.

Notable: Baylor remains in the top 10 nationally in rushing offense, passing offense, scoring offense, total offense and scoring defense, and is winning games by an FBS-best margin of 48 points. And Bryce Petty is averaging an unreal 20.1 yards per completion.

4. Ohio State Buckeyes

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Average rating: 4.2

Week 9 result: Ohio State (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) made its biggest statement yet that it deserves to be in the national title hunt, thoroughly dominating in a 63-14 home win over Penn State (4-3, 2-2).

The Buckeyes led 28-0 and gained 686 total yards, while stifling talented PSU quarterback Christian Hackenberg into the worst game of his career with just 112 yards and two interceptions. Braxton Miller completed 75 percent of his passes for 252 yards and three TDs and also ran for a score, while Carlos Hyde had another monster game with 147 yards and two TDs.

Ohio State had looked sluggish the week before against Iowa, also at home, but responded Saturday with its best effort of the season.

Up next: OSU hits the road Saturday to face the Big Ten's worst team, Purdue (1-6, 0-3). The Buckeyes and Boilermakers have gone to overtime in their last two meetings, with OSU winning 29-22 at home last season but falling 26-23 in West Lafayette in 2011.

Notable: xxx

3. Florida State Seminoles

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Average rating: 3.0

Week 9 result: Florida State (7-0, 5-0 ACC) showed no lingering hangover from its big win over Clemson the week before, wasting little time jumping on North Carolina State (3-4, 0-4) for a 49-17 home win.

The Seminoles were up 21-0 after eight minutes and led 35-0 at the end of the first quarter, with freshman phenom Jameis Winston throwing for more than 200 of his 292 yards and all three of his touchdowns in the opening frame.

Devonta Freeman added two rushing TDs while Rashad Greene caught eight balls for 137 yards and a score as FSU outgained the Wolfpack 566-316 and giving their opponent no chance to replicate the 2012 upset in Raleigh. NC State beat a 5-0 FSU team 17-16 last October.

Up next: Florida State faces Miami, Fla. (7-0, 3-0) at home Saturday in its final major test of the regular season and its best chance to impress the BCS system until the ACC title game. The Seminoles have won the last three meetings, with last year's 33-20 victory coming in Miami.

Notable: Despite throwing an interception, Winston remained second nationally in passing efficiency with a 207.0 rating. He's averaging 311 yards per game and has thrown 23 TDs against four picks.

2. Oregon Ducks

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Average rating: 1.8

Week 9 result: Oregon (8-0, 5-0 Pac-12) showed a new level of resiliency in its 42-14 home win over UCLA (5-2, 2-2), turning a tight first-half battle into a runaway victory with 28 unanswered points after halftime.

The Ducks responded to a slow-to-get-going offense by playing some of their best defense of the season, intercepting UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley twice while holding him to just 64 yards through the air.

The offense did pick up the pace after halftime, resulting in a dominant final two quarters en route to more than 550 yards for the game. The Ducks rushed for 325 yards, with Byron Marshall going for 133 yards and three touchdowns

Up next: Oregon is off until Nov. 7 when it faces its toughest challenge to date, a Thursday night game at Stanford (7-1, 5-1). The Cardinal dashed the Ducks' title hopes last November when it went into Eugene and escaped with a 17-14 overtime victory.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

The Crimson Tide are making this look too easy. Over their last six games they've outscored opponents 246-26, with the 10 points by the Volunteers (4-4, 1-3) marking the most a foe has tallied since Alabama's epic 49-42 win over Texas A&M. Way back in Week 3.

'Bama did it with the usual blend of efficient offense (A.J. McCarron was 19-of-27 for 275 yards and two touchdowns, while T.J. Yeldon rushed for three TDs) and stifling defense (it held Tennessee QB Justin Worley to 120 yards and two interceptions, one of which was returned 89 yards by Landon Collins for a 35-0 lead with 12 seconds left in the first half).

Rather than look complacent or sluggish during this run against opponents who are a combined 17-25 when not playing 'Bama, the defending national champs are staying at the top of their game regardless of the competition.

Up next: The Tide now gets two weeks to prepare for their first challenge in two months, a Nov. 9 visit from LSU (7-2, 3-2). Annually one of the best games in college football, 'Bama won 21-17 at LSU last November en route to another SEC title and the BCS championship.

Notable: Not surprisingly, Alabama is No. 1 in scoring defense, allowing 9.8 points per game, and fifth nationally in total defense (280.9 yards per game). But how that defense fares against tougher teams without Vinnie Susneri, who is done for the year with a knee injury, remains to be seen. Collins started in place of Susneri on Saturday and looked fine as a replacement.